Independents

A too ordinary title to describe what we saw and who we met... Imagine a Londonian shop, a nice one, where you can meet some great brands as AP, JLC, FPJ etc... You will tell me OK, what 's the matter? You went in a nice shop and then? THEN? We just saw s...  

. . . after thousands of posts, countless hours of reading, and even telephone conversations, it never dawned on me that the world of independent watchmakers had largely escaped your notice. I sense a shift in your appetite, mon ami . . . cordially, Art

More than that! I'm on to dig a bit more this topic, my friend. I feel like a newbie, and that's a really great feeling. Best, Nicolas

I had an eye on the PSM watches, but sadly no time to see them well, because of FX who spent a lot of time to admire them, but I can tell you that what I too quickly ) saw was very pleasant, and I msure that he will post a brilliantb thread about them I g...  

I find myself more and more attracted to Romain's creation. If it only had a second hand...

With a second hand, Allen... I fear it would break its purity and elegance. Damn, I was really positively shocked to see these watches! Best, Nicolas

The dials reflect such masterful elegance and the movements are awe inspiring works of art. The Romain Gaultier has a cleaner symmetry with it's missing crown (although it feels a bit as though it's lost a limb...lol) I just love how craftmanship and qual... 

pictures taken in October 2006...he just acquired this new space and together with his only watchmaker at that time (a young gentleman - 22 yo) they're making some amazing pieces... adrian...  

It takes a brave set of individuals to set up a 100K+ CHF watch production in these times, but here they are. Almost a 50's tv screen, with a two time zone design and a movement made from scratch. Not my thing, but hefty and innovative. Well finished and ...  

Thanks for the pictures, Andrew.

lights in the shop. There was a curvature to the crystal (like a 50's tv set) that made it difficult to photograph. That said, the movement is well finished. I have my doubts on the kinetic energy of that rotor, but the representative assured me that it w... 

I have to confess that I totally missed this brand. Some interesting things, indeed, but the aesthetic is not my cup of tea. To be followed! Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-06-30 22:24:36

More than any other firm at the moment, DeBethune impress. We were lucky to have a Dream Watch 1 with us at the store: innovative movements, designs, case design, and styling. The future looks bright! Dream Watch 1 (Robb Reports Best of the Best for this ...  

These De Bethune really impressed me... Will end with one in my collection. Just have to think about which one. Best, and thanks for these excellent pics! Nicolas

collection - a real gem of a watch. Great to meet you and wish we could have had more time chatting - next time,tell me if you are in London. Cheers Andrew H

the 1655 is a real gem ... and it looks nice on the wrist ... But some of the DBs aren´t bad as well ... Oliver...  

Convinced? I'm ending a review on this special Rolex, and will post it in the very following days. It is strange because I owned one, before, and sold it. Then, several years after, !i began to fall in love again with it, and hunted one. It took me a lot ... 

I really appreciate this kind of '"vintage" pieces, but I am still not sure if I am "rich enough" to wear a Rolex It seems to be that they are not that difficult to find, if you are willed to pay the "sporty" prices. From the pictures I have seen so far t... 

Ad you don't need to be rich to get one of these " Freccione ", or the even more affordable GMT 1675. You can have fun for much less than one year ago. Don't go for the details or the particularities, but only for your pleasure, a nice patina and a good c... 

but "not rich enough" was not mentioned because of the price tag. What kept me away from Rolex - so far - is the message to everybody (and I mean everybody) if you have one on your wrist. Aren´t they just too obvious if you don´t want to impress the "crow... 

I completely understand what you mean, but I think this is a " state of mind ". You're not obliged to jump on a very hot Rolex, you may be very happy with an understated one, like the Freccione, or the GMT which are not the most popular, which is very fin... 

I would be insulted and give the watch away to a friend- me for example lol Seriously though, I agree with you- the main reason for having and wearing a watch is our own enjoyment Cheers

It was my pleasure, too! Be sure that next time I come there, I'll inform you. As for the 1655, this is one of my very fav Rolex. Its original look, plus the fact that it wasn't ( isn't ) so popular adds a lot ot the interest I pay on this watch. Best, Ni... 

... but only on the wrist for a couple of minutes . I must confess i never payed a lot of attention to the explorer ... but this is such an elegant design ... i loved it from the first second i touched it. Filip...  

The DB25 in rose gold. Stunning watch in the metal....  

But the same movement. Is that yours Allen? NICE! Andrew H

I saw it at a trunk show with the other dream watch pieces.

.... softly. Excellent pictures, Nico & Andrew ! Incidently, I met Lionel (Ladoire) when he was in Singapore a couple of months back. Very innovative watches with use of exotic materials.

Viewing theses watches is an intense pleasure, my friend. I must now do my homework on the Independant Watches, as this is a new world, or almost, to me. But now I got how and why people pay interest to them. The finish, the originality, the technical sol... 

The De Bethunes are just crazy...in a good way. There are several design elements about them that I abolutely love and some that I don't care much for and thus overall, I'm torn. The hour markers, with their 3-dimensional, sunken spherical quality are so ... 

That's exactly that! Perfectly said, Ping. And in some other cases, we should also say that it is a sublime coming back to the Roots, to the fundamentals. Now, I have a seed growing in my brain... Best, Nicolas

and sincere thanks to Vernon, Mo and William & Sons for making it a great day. All the best Jon

Shall we count you for the next one??? Best, Nicolas

Good grief, it is attractive! I love the blue-steel outlined sapphire hands, the 3-D moonphase, and the calendar display combination of a sub-dial for the date, and the two interesting windows for the month and day of the week. Stunning. I was really impr... 

I totally agree with you on what you wrote about the Mayu. And yes, I saw the palladium version with this stunning smoke dial. As for the De Bethune, I'd say that these are very refreshing watches, really, as they re visit the horological landscape, and w... 

I agree that the Romain Gauthier timepieces are completely captivating. There's just something about that dial and lack of a crown that is so pleasing. The Speake-Marin watches are tasty too! My favorite has always been the single-handed Shimoda. PSM offe... 

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I visited William & Son shop only the week before and also took great pleasure in examining Mr Romain Gauthier beautifully crafted timepieces. As well as the FP Journes Tourbillon and Reasonance.

It may be the beginning of another ( watch ) love story, indeed. What is also awesome, and really amazing, is to see all these marvels at the same place. Well, here in Paris, we are used to see a lot of interesting watches, but in London watches seem to b... 

Is that the Mayu movement? It looks quite different from mine. Fantastic post, by the way. Thanks so much for sharing. Best, Jed

I didn't mess with the case backs. I checked another time, and it is the Mayu Case Back. Best, Nicolas

Note the difference from the movement in my Mayu. Best, Jed...  

Hello all! IMO, For the H. Moser & Cie MONARD: MAYU: Hope this helps. -MW...  

No message body This message has been edited by CaliforniaJed on 2009-07-02 10:10:49

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You're right... I thought I took a Mayu case back, it was a Monard, in fact. I checked your pic in the Moser Catalogue, and you're absolutely right. Too many watches in the display, at this moment. Very sorry for this confusion. Best, Nicolas

Thanks for carifying. (I thought maybe the Mayu had gotten the double hairspring and a makover for a minute!) Best, Jed

…and really like the Perpetual De Bethune – an innovative and impressive design!!! Thanks for the great pictures of these beauties, Nicolas! Marcelo

Exhuberant or sober, they all share one thing : Originality. If you asdd a high degree of finish...It achieves to make them very desirable. A Revelation! Best, Nicolas

Had a great day, with some stunning watches, sadly that i missed it. Best, Michel

It was a fantastic one, my friend! Best, Nicolas

for a week, Nic your post inkect more gas to my almost dim WIS fire ....LOL now burning hot on DB

I'm not the dangerous one, here, but De Bethune!!! Wow, these watches are so appealing, my friend. One advice: Don't go to see them in the flesh or you will make the plundge. Best, my friend. Nicolas

The probability of having a De Bethune on my wrist in the near future is very strong ! My favorite one is still the DB15 but I must admit that this breathtaking DBS with black dial could be " The One "... Emmanuel